Okemos priest will stand trial in St. Martha's embezzlement
MASON -- A long-time Okemos priest will stand trial on charges that he stole from his parish.
The Rev. Jonathan Wehrle was bound over by District Judge Donald Allen Friday at the conclusion of a four-day preliminary examination. Wehrle will stand trial on six counts of embezzlement of $100,000 or more.
Prosecutors believe Wehrle used parish funds to pay for work and materials at his more than 11,000-square-foot home in Williamston.
Auditors from Plante Moran have said about $5 million is missing from St. Martha Parish.
“The defendant in this case, Father Wehrle, was one of the founding members of St. Martha’s Parish and has maintained pretty autonomous control of that parish,” Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Stevens said.
Read more: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2017/11/17/okemos-priest-appears-final-day-hearing-embezzlement-charge/871893001/
